Printer FriendlyThe Master of Science program will prepare graduates in one of five work environment concentrations:
- Cleaner Production and Pollution Prevention
- Epidemiology
- Ergonomics and Safety
- Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
- Work Environment Policy
The Master of Science degree culminates in an interdisciplinary project with an oral and written report called the Work Environment Capstone. In some cases, a master's thesis may be conducted. All master’s work is conducted under the direction of a faculty advisor. Students will be assigned an advisor upon admission.
Master's Degree Research A master’s student must complete the Work Environment Capstone. In special circumstances, a master's thesis or project may replace the Capstone.
Work Environment Capstone: Through this course, master’s students complete their final project. Each student, in consultation with an advisor, chooses a problem to study in depth and proposes a solution. Capstone projects involve original research by the student. Students are required to register for a zero credit course (19.600) in the fall semester of their final year, and a 3-credit course (19.601) in the following spring semester. The student develops a one-page problem statement and objectives with the academic advisor. This document must be signed by the student, advisor and Capstone instructor by the end of the fall semester. The product of the spring semester course will be a written report and an oral presentation before a faculty jury.
Project: The project will consist of a scholarly investigation, such as a review, report, synthesis or design in the student's field resulting in a written document. Each project is awarded three credits.
Thesis: The requirements for a thesis are much more extensive, including the completion of acceptable research and defense before a thesis committee. The completed thesis must conform to the format specified in the "Thesis Guide," which is available in the Graduate School Office, and the format must be approved by the Graduate School. The time required for completion may vary. Therefore, if a student has not completed the thesis by the end of the semester, but is making satisfactory progress, she or he is given the grade of "PR."
If the student requires the use of university resources to complete the thesis, she or he must register for at least three credits or research for the following semester, even if the minimum number of credits required for the degree in her or his program have already been earned. If the student is not using university resources, but is in the process of writing the thesis, she or he may register for Continued Advisement for the semester(s) until the work is completed. At that time, the grade of S will be awarded for the last semester in which the student is registered for thesis research.
The research is overseen by a Thesis Committee selected by the student and his or her advisor. The Thesis Committee shall consist of at least three members, at least two of whom shall be from the student's major department. One member of the committee shall be the student's thesis advisor. An outside expert, such as the supervisor of a research project conducted at a workplace setting or a faculty member from another institution, may be a member of the committee, but that individual must possess academic qualifications which would qualify him or her to serve as a member of the UMASS Lowell faculty. The responsibilities of the Thesis Committee shall be to:
- Approve the research topic;
- Supervise the progress of the thesis;
- Arrange for oral defense of the thesis;
- Report the completion of all thesis requirements to the department.
Thesis Preparation: Every graduate student who completes a thesis is required to bear the cost of microfilming and binding two copies of the manuscript for the University.
Entrance Requirements for the Masters Programs
Applicants must have a BA or BS with an overall GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants must have a grade of C or better in required technical courses. For the Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Program the technical courses must include at a minimum one semester of: college-level mathematics (calculus or statistics preferred), general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology and physics. For the Ergonomics/Safety program, technical courses must include college level mathematics (calculus preferred), biology and physics. For the Epidemiology, Cleaner Production and Policy programs, technical courses include college level mathematics (statistics preferred) and biology. Applicants who are deficient in their technical course requirements may be admitted with the provision that they meet with their advisor before or during their first semester to make a plan to compensate for any deficiencies.
GRE’s are required unless the student has completed a previous Masters degree. For students who graduated from a university in a non-English speaking country, TOEFL scores should be at least 550 (written) or 213 (computer).
A faculty committee will evaluate each applicant’s complete packet of application materials including GPA, GRE, TOEFL, experience, recommendations and essay.